“Did I Miss Anything?”

Nothing. When we realized you weren’t herewe sat with our hands folded on our desksin silence, for the full two hours

Everything. I gave an exam worth40 percent of the grade for this termand assigned some reading due todayon which I’m about to hand out a quizworth 50 percent

Nothing. None of the content of this coursehas value or meaningTake as many days off as you like:any activities we undertake as a classI assure you will not matter either to you or meand are without purpose

Everything. A few minutes after we began last timea shaft of light suddenly descended and an angelor other heavenly being appearedand revealed to us what each woman or man must doto attain divine wisdom in this life andthe hereafterThis is the last time the class will meetbefore we disperse to bring the good news to all peopleon earth.

Nothing. When you are not presenthow could something significant occur?

Everything. Contained in this classroomis a microcosm of human experienceassembled for you to query and examine and ponderThis is not the only place such an opportunity has beengathered